Casting shapes
US4818562A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 24, 1988 |
| Grant date | Apr 4, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 24, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S118/05
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Disclosed is a method of casting a shape. A laser or electron gun is directed at a fusible powder in a fluidized bed. The beam melts the powder and the melted powder fuses and solidifies on a surface to form the shape. Also disclosed is apparatus for casting a shape. The apparatus includes a fluidized bed containing a fluidized powder, a surface within the bed on which the shape is cast, an electron beam or laser directed at the surface, which has an energy sufficient to fuse the powder, means for controlling the level of the powder in the fluidized bed relative to the surface, and means for controlling the horizontal position of the surface relative to the beam.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.